Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 7th, 2017–Apr 8th, 2017

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

It's looking warm and wet again today. Warm temps overnight prevented an overnight recovery; as precipitation and winds pick up this afternoon hazard will rise. A cooling trend through the weekend should help to tighten up the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Today expect flurries to accumulate to 10cm, with freezing levels hovering around 1800m and rain at low elevations. Winds should shift to S'ly and continue to load lees. Overnight we should see another 10cm snow with freezing levels lowering to 1200m. Saturday and Sunday should be a mix of sun and cloud, with a cooling trend and alpine highs of -6.

Snowpack Summary

Variable winds loaded lee's overnight. ~20cm of moist snow overlies a crust everywhere other than N aspects above 1800m. Below 1900m this slab has been saturated by rain. The upper snowpack is a complex mix of crusts. Deeper in the snowpack, old persistent weak layers that include crusts and facets have been reactive to large triggers like cornices

Avalanche Summary

High elevation N aspects hold dry snow that sluffs with skier traffic. At lower elevations, the wet snow is easily triggered running far and fast on crusts. Yesterday we observed a few size 2 natural storm slab avalanches with moist debris running to the end of the paths. Cornices or smaller avalanches have been triggering deep persistent layers.

Confidence

Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

20cm of moist snow overlies a crust everywhere other than high elevation N'ly aspects. Winds have been shifting directions and will have formed deeper pockets on lee slopes. Rising freezing levels and continued loading will make them more reactive.

Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.Choose well supported terrain without convexities.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Cornices dropping and smaller avalanches have recently triggered deep, persistent weak layers. The resulting avalanches have been observed to run well into the valley bottoms. With continued loading during the storm likelihood will increase.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Space out and travel quickly through runout zones of avalanche paths.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Wet

At treeline and below, rain has saturated the snow that overlies a series of crusts. Warm overnight temps are keeping the snow weak. This wet snow will be easily triggered and will run far on the crust. Even if small, wet avalanches are powerful.

Ski short pitches and regroup in safe spots.Use safe ski cutting techniques before entering ski run.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3